Book 3: Heart Strings

Chapter 8: Love

Heart Strings

Chapter 8

Love

Red Son wasn't too sure about walking around with kids hands in his, yet here he was and there it is. They didn't talk to him though, actually he was pretty sure they were afraid of him. He wasn't a bad guy, he just had a bad temper and that wasn't cool with kids. His eyes kept wondering though.

MK walked ahead of Red Son but he could feel his eyes on him. They had been seeing each other in secret for just about a year now. He suspected Tyla knew, she had a good nose for things like this, but she said nothing. He knew her, she didn't want to get in his way, but still hinted that she would like him to be happy. Joking that he needs to settle down with the right girl to cover for him.

Tyla watched the two as she knowingly smiled, she had smelled it on them one night after the winters. MK disappeared one night and came back home after it thawed about a week later looking disheveled and smelling of Red Son. Tyla thought it was rather adorable, but often hoped that he would just pop the question and get it over with. It's not like it wasn't unusual in their culture. The only one who could say no was Wukong, and well...he did have a love for a certain male monkey too. Tyla giggled when Red Son...accidentally ran into MK and quickly apologized. Tyla made it slightly 'worse' by running into Red Son who actually ran into MK accidentally. Both of which blushed worse and cleared their throats.

"Oh stop it you two...no need to be bashful around me. You can hold hands too." Red Son turned and looked at her. It's why Tyla kept denying a relationship with Red Son. It was because his eyes were for her brother.

"How dare you assume I like this peasant." He tried to play it off. Tyla decided to play him like a harp.

"Oh so you don't like MK? Not at all?" She asked. Red Son's mouth went dry and he looked at MK and shook his head.

"She caught us like...five months ago...she's just been keeping quiet about it. Making excuses for us." MK said. Red Son looked at Tyla looking around for anyone.

"If my mother found out...she would kill him." Uh oh...okay that might be a bad thing. Tyla didn't have a hope in hell of beating Princess Iron Fan.

"Guys...you need to talk it over with them...the moment when you admit this to them will you two be able to be together freely." Tyla said. MK sighed and nodded pointing up. Wukong was looking down at them from the top part of the mountain. It was a narrow path so he was up there ensuring that everyone got through alright.

"Yeah, I heard everything. I'll take care of your mother." Red Son gasped and shook his head.

"No no don't...wait...and he's gone." They reached the valley and Red Son sighed putting his head in his hands. MK had his arms around Red Son.

"Soooo...that's why?" Macaque asked holding out a piece of banana to Tao who looked ready to sleep after their walk.

MK could see Wukong standing next to Princess Iron Fan. Both talking together. The shock on Princess Iron Fan was sudden and then the laugh behind the fan. Wukong kept talking as she just smiled. She looked around at her son who hid behind his hands again.

"Dad doesn't look worried." Yomi told them. "It's okay."

Wukong began to walk back toward them. "Alright it's settled, you're both betrothed. However a wedding will wait until MK is fully trained. Can't protect your family properly if you aren't fully trained."

"I am fully trained!" Red Son stood up and growled. "I can protect us!"

"I think you're missing the point bud. Once you marry MK you inherit another kingdom. You will become king of the monkeys alongside him. You will need the extra help."

"We'll help too." Tyla said, yawning.

"No kids! Stay away from that area, there's a sheer drop on the other side." Raya called to her kids.

"So it's official huh kid?" Pigsy asked, looking down at Tang who was taking large leaves down from the trees and making a bed. Suna spread the leaves out before laying on them. Red Son thought it was actually a pretty good idea. He pulled down a few leaves.

"Where did you learn to do this?" Red Son asked. Tang looked up at him.

"In Mongolia, traveling for years on the road teaches you how to make beds out of almost anything." Tang held out a leaf for him. Red Son took the leaf, and his eyes changed color from red to silver for a few moments.

'Oh you are a powerful one, they suppressed you though. This should be fun...and an easy way to get what I want.' Red Son felt like his mind was being locked up in a cocoon. He couldn't move his own limbs, much less hear anything outside. He was tired, so very tired. 'Shhhh Red Son, sleep...sleep.'